HealthCheck access point

ABSTRACT

A wireless configuration network may be provided by a Wi-Fi hotspot active at the wireless access station. The Wi-Fi hotspot may be connected to by a wireless network-capable device, such as a tablet computer, e.g., an Apple iPad, or a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone, e.g., an Android or Apple iOS device. This allows a technician to stand on the ground below the wireless access station but still have access to various configuration features of the wireless access station. The wireless configuration network may also be referred to herein as a “debug SSID” or a “debug access point.”

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of, and claims benefit under 35U.S.C. § 120 of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/926,769, filed Mar.20, 2018 and entitled “HealthCheck Access Point,” which is acontinuation of, and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/946,129, filed Nov. 19, 2015 and entitled“HealthCheck Access Point,” which itself claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) based on U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No.62/081,930, filed Nov. 19, 2014, and entitled “HealthCheck AccessPoint,” each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety for all purposes. In addition, U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 13/889,631; 14/211,355; 14/146,857; 14/183,176; 14/777,246;14/453,365; and 14/454,670 are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

A wireless access station may be remotely configurable, for example, viaa cloud configuration server. However, when a wireless access station isunpacked from the box and is being initially configured, variousconfiguration steps may require physical access to the wireless accessstation but may also require the wireless access station to be placedatop a radio tower at the same time. This may require a technician toclimb the radio tower to configure the wireless access station.

As well, during normal operation, the wireless access station functionslike a part of a larger cloud network, with all control, operational anddebug data being accessed from there. There is no need for any otherform of access to the radio access network (RAN). However, for anisolated mesh node which loses its backhaul or even fails to establish abackhaul connection towards the cloud, a way to fix the issue or captureoperational data without having to physically connect to the node isdesirable.

SUMMARY

It is desirable to provide a wireless network for initial configurationthat does not require the installer to be physically connected via acable or to be physically located atop the radio tower with the wirelessaccess station. This document describes the requirements for such anaccess method using Wi-Fi.

In the present disclosure, a wireless access station may be an eNodeBfor LTE, a Wi-Fi base station, a mesh network node, or another type ofdevice that provides access and/or backhaul for a voice and/or datanetwork. A wireless access station provides a radio access network, orRAN.

In one embodiment, a wireless configuration network is provided by aWi-Fi hotspot active at the wireless access station. The Wi-Fi hotspotmay be connected to by a wireless network-capable device, such as atablet computer, e.g., an Apple iPad, or a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone,e.g., an Android or Apple iOS device. This allows a technician to standon the ground below the wireless access station but still have access tovarious configuration features of the wireless access station. Thewireless configuration network may also be referred to herein as a“debug SSID” or a “debug access point.”

Accordingly, systems and methods for providing a wireless configurationnetwork are disclosed.

In a first embodiment, a wireless access station is disclosed,comprising: a configuration module for configuring the wireless accessstation; a configuration wireless access network module for providingwireless access to the configuration module; and a configurationwireless access security module for providing security information tothe configuration wireless access network module, performing a handshakewith a configuration server, and synchronizing the security informationwith the configuration server.

The wireless access station may be a multi-radio access technology(multi-RAT) wireless access station supporting Long Term Evolution (LTE)and Wi-Fi wireless access technologies. A mesh network module may beprovided for providing mesh backhaul to the wireless access station. Theconfiguration wireless access security module may be configured toprovide access to a mobile device with a current version of the securityinformation when the wireless access station does not have a backhaulconnection to a core network. The configuration module may be configuredto provide health monitoring, connectivity checking, hardware statusmonitoring, network status monitoring, load monitoring, or other statusmonitoring at the wireless access station. The security information maybe a Wi-Fi pre-shared key (PSK).

In a second embodiment, a method for providing configuration access to abase station is disclosed, comprising: reading configuration informationfor a configuration wireless network at a base station, theconfiguration information including a known Wi-Fi service set identifier(SSID); initializing the configuration wireless network at the basestation using the known Wi-Fi SSID in access point mode; synchronizingthe configuration information with a server; and enabling a mobiledevice to connect to the configuration wireless network, the mobiledevice using the configuration information received from the server.

The method may further comprise providing access to a mobile device witha current version of the configuration information when the base stationdoes not have a backhaul connection to a core network. The method mayfurther comprise requiring additional security credentials after themobile device connects to the configuration wireless network. Theconfiguration information may include a Wi-Fi pre-shared key (PSK). Themethod may further comprise providing health monitoring, connectivitychecking, hardware status monitoring, network status monitoring, loadmonitoring, or other status monitoring at the base station. The methodmay further comprise whitelisting certain devices for enabling themobile device to connect to the configuration wireless network, thewhitelisting using an identifier from the mobile device, the identifierbeing at least one of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI),international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), medium access control(MAC) address, mobile subscription identification number (MSIN),globally unique temporary user equipment identity (GUTI), device serialnumber, and device configuration number.

In a third embodiment, a method for providing configuration access to abase station is disclosed, comprising: reading configuration informationfor a configuration wireless network at a base station, theconfiguration information including a known Wi-Fi service set identifier(SSID); synchronizing the configuration information with a coordinationserver; periodically scanning for the known Wi-Fi SSID in station mode;and connecting to the known Wi-Fi SSID generated by another device, theanother device receiving the known Wi-Fi SSID from the coordinationserver.

The method may further comprise providing access to a mobile device witha current version of the configuration information when the base stationdoes not have a backhaul connection to a core network. The method mayfurther comprise requiring additional security credentials after themobile device connects to the configuration wireless network. Theconfiguration information may include a Wi-Fi pre-shared key (PSK). Themethod may further comprise providing health monitoring, connectivitychecking, hardware status monitoring, network status monitoring, loadmonitoring, or other status monitoring at the base station. The methodmay further comprise whitelisting certain devices for enabling themobile device to connect to the configuration wireless network, thewhitelisting using an identifier from the mobile device, the identifierbeing at least one of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI),international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), medium access control(MAC) address, mobile subscription identification number (MSIN),globally unique temporary user equipment identity (GUTI), device serialnumber, and device configuration number.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a deployment scenario for a wireless access station in anoperator network, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a process tree for a wireless access station in anoperator network, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a debug network in access point mode, inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a debug network in station mode, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a coordinating node, in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an enhanced eNodeB, in accordance with someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A wireless access station could be functioning in either one of 2possible modes of operation: gateway mode and mesh mode. A gateway modehas access to an inter-connect network though which it establishesconnectivity to the cloud. The inter-connection could either be wired orwireless (e.g. Long Term Evolution, or LTE). In mesh mode, the wirelessaccess station has no direct connection to the core or infrastructureprovider network. Its only means of connecting to the network is overmesh-links. Establishment of the mesh network is covered in otherapplications, such as U.S. application Ser. No. 14/146,857, herebyincorporated in its entirety.

Scenarios

FIG. 1 depicts a typical deployment scenario for a wireless accessstation in an operator network. A wireless access station could befunctioning in either one of two possible modes of operation: gatewaymode and mesh mode. A gateway mode has access to an inter-connectnetwork though which it establishes connectivity to the cloud. Theinter-connection could either be wired or wireless (e.g. LTE). In meshmode, the wireless access station has no direct connection to the coreor infrastructure provider network. Its only means of connecting to thenetwork is over mesh-links. Establishment of the mesh network is coveredin other applications, such as U.S. application Ser. No. 14/146,857,hereby incorporated in its entirety.

As well, there are scenarios where a more elaborate access mechanism isdesirable:

Green-field install (e.g., installation in remote area withoutsupporting infrastructure): Feedback from the wireless access station isdesirable for the best alignment of directional antennas, and generalhealth check.

Isolated Node: In the case of an isolated mesh node which loses itsbackhaul or fails to establish a backhaul connection to the cloud, thereneeds to be a way to fix the issue or at least capture operational datawithout having to physically connect to it.

Initial deployments: For a period after a wireless access station isinitially deployed, periodic health monitoring may be desirable eventhough cloud connectivity is established.

Health monitoring, or health checking, may include at least one of:connectivity checking; hardware status monitoring; network statusmonitoring; load monitoring; or other status monitoring.

Any radio band or radio access technology or protocol may be used. IfWi-Fi is used, a built-in access radio can be used to provide thisfunctionality, in some embodiments.

Station Mode and Access Point Mode

In some embodiments, a Wi-Fi hotspot may be created for the wirelessconfiguration network. The hotspot may be created at the wireless accessstation, with the wireless access station running in an access point(AP) mode. To run in this mode, a network name or service set identifier(SSID) must be assigned to the network. Although the SSID need not bebroadcast, the wireless access network may allow any node to join thathas knowledge of the SSID. This may have a negative impact on security.

In some embodiments, a wireless access station may instead scan for awireless network with a given SSID, without itself creating the network,thus remaining in STA (station) mode and not in AP mode. This allows thewireless access station to more carefully control security on thewireless configuration network.

In some embodiments, the wireless configuration network is onlyavailable when no connectivity to the rest of the Internet is available;in other embodiments, the wireless configuration network is alwaysavailable, regardless of the connectivity available to the wirelessaccess station. In some embodiments, the wireless access station mayautomatically turn the wireless configuration network on and off, basedon, for example, failure states at the wireless access station. In thiscase the solution could be run as a part of the wireless access stationapplication software.

The station mode may be identified herein as the DebugSSID process orthe DebugSTA process. The access point mode may be identified herein asthe DebugAP process.

Both modes are described in greater detail below.

Access Point Mode

In some embodiments, the wireless access station may create a Wi-Finetwork in AP mode and may permit access to itself. In some embodiments,the SSID may be broadcast.

In some embodiments, the feature is always on. In some embodiments, thefeature assumes a dual-band access radio, and the wireless configurationnetwork is launched by default on channel-1 in 802.11g mode. In someembodiments, WPA-PSK level security is provided. In some embodiments,the SSID broadcast would be of the form “<wireless accessstation>-<wireless access stationId>.” In some embodiments, security isprovided that limits connected devices according to an identifierwhitelist, including one or more of: IMSI; IMEI; MAC address; MSIN;GUTI; device serial number; device configuration profile; or anotheridentifier.

In some embodiments, when an always-active mode is used, the STA doesnot need to know the frequency of operation beforehand, as the STA maydiscover it.

As an AP the wireless configuration network may broadcast its SSID, soits presence may be known, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, theSSID can be hidden, or in stealth mode, and the wireless configurationnetwork can be made to not answer wild-card probe requests, in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, a new task or process called debugAP may becreated. This task will be decoupled from the wireless access stationapplication for resilience and simplicity.

A platform manager module may launch debugAP before launching wirelessaccess station application software. The Debug AP task may: a.) get oneor more of the following information from the PlatformMgr andinitialization file: wireless access station-Id, PSK information, Wi-FiAccess Interface (Default is P3); b.) look for a band-freq.cfg file inthe obtained configuration files to retrieve the Band and frequency tobe used for the debugAP. If not found, it will assume a 2.4 GHz bandwith 2412 Mhz (channel 1) in g-mode. c.) based on the above, it willcreate a config file for hostapd/ d.) launch the hostapd. e.) It willperiodically monitor the band-freq.cfg file for updates and if it findsa change, it will relaunch/SIGHUP the hostapd application.

In some embodiments, an application for the wireless access stationcalled WiFiMgr may be used. Based on the radio configuration receivedfrom the cloud the WiFiMgr would update/create the band-freq.cfg file.Other changes would be to disable polling for the debugSTA mode and touse/create only 3 virtual APs for normal use.

No special changes are required in the wireless access station hostaccess point (‘hostap’) to provide access to one or more mobile deviceswhile concurrently providing this feature.

In some embodiments, reboot on core dump may be delayed if anotherdevice is attached to the wireless access station.

In some embodiments, a Wi-Fi pre-shared key (PSK) may be randomlyauto-generated to provide additional security. One mechanism forgenerating the PSK is as follows. The PSK is generated at a centralcloud server. The central cloud server may use entropy to randomlygenerate a key, for example, a 32-byte 64-hex digit key. A daemon mayrun on the central cloud server to generate a new key at a configurableinterval, which may be hours or days. The central cloud server maymaintain a copy of the key.

In operation, the daemon may first check for connectivity to the targetwireless access station. If there is no connectivity to the targetwireless access station, the daemon may exit. If connectivity ispresent, the daemon may generate a new key and then may send it to thetarget wireless access station, in some embodiments over a secureencrypted link. The daemon then awaits a response. If no response isreceived, the central cloud server may not update its copy of the key.Thus, a handshake may be used between the wireless access station andthe cloud coordination server to ensure that the cloud coordinationserver is aware each time the wireless access station's locally-storedcredentials are updated.

If a response is received, the central cloud server may update its copyof the key. The target wireless access station may disable the APnetwork and may re-enable the network with the new key. A technicianwishing to access the target wireless access station may request the keyfrom the central cloud server, and using the key, connect to the AP atthe wireless access station.

Station Mode

In some embodiments, a wireless access station may instead scan for awireless network with a given SSID, without itself creating the network,thus remaining in STA (station) mode and not in AP mode, so that thereis nothing on the air unless a suitable AP is in the vicinity and isrequired.

In some embodiments, the DebugSSID process could be started at startuptime (before RAN application software), and if does not hear from theapplication it programs the radio is the desired mode based on theapproach selected. In some embodiments, the DebugSSID process could bestarted by the sysmgr, assuming that sysmgr comes up. In someembodiments, the DebugSSID may be promoted to its own session, even ifstarted from the sysmgr. In some embodiments, the DebugSSID may be runas an independent process (not a thread). In some embodiments, theDebugSSID process may always be running in dormant mode, and if does notget cloud-reachability audit responses from the application software, itshould start active operation.

In some embodiments, a wireless configuration network is provided bycausing the wireless access station to automatically connect to ahotspot with a particular SSID. The wireless access station may connectin STA mode, instead of in AP mode, and the mobile configuration devicemay create the network in AP mode. A STA mode software module may beenabled to periodically poll nearby wireless APs to find a nearbytechnician device in AP mode with the requisite SSID.

Once a connection to a wireless configuration network is made,additional security precautions may be provided. For example, a limitedcommand line interface may be provided in place of a system-level shellenvironment. As another example, a secure network protocol connectionmay be required between the mobile configuration device (e.g., tabletcomputer) and the eNodeB or base station.

In some embodiments, a debug device or mobile configuration device maybe specially configured to support an AP mode (e.g., to create awireless network with a particular SSID) to permit the wireless accessstation to connect to it. In some embodiments, the AP may use thefrequency of operation of the RAN radio. Scans may be restricted to aparticular frequency, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, aseparate radio may be used at the AP or at the STA. In some embodiments,the STA may only create the wireless configuration network when backhauloperation is unavailable.

It is possible to run in STA mode on the same radio which is runningmultiple VAPs, in some embodiments. In other embodiments the STA modemodule may use a dedicated physical interface.

Security

In some embodiments, layer 2 security may be provided, includingpeer-to-peer authentication (cert/PSK etc.).

In some embodiments, even if the credentials are PSK based, they can beupdated from the default after the first time cloud connectivity isestablished.

In some embodiments, enterprise-class security, including layer 2security may be provided, particularly with the STA mode, up to andincluding a central RADIUS server. In some embodiments, PSK/SAE orpeer-to-peer certificate validation are provided. In some embodiments,secure shell (SSH) is provided, and only specified ports may be leftopen, with no wild card IP address-based listeners in the system. If amechanism less secure than certificates is used, a way to update thecredentials may be provided. In some embodiments, security credentialsmay be persisted in a data store or a file. In some embodiments, anadditional layer of security is provided in some embodiments byrequiring a secure shell (SSH) session. In some embodiments, when alwaysactive, access may be controlled to the ssh port based on criteria usedto bring the service active.

In some embodiments, limited privileges may be available once a user islogged in, via, for example, a chroot jail or equivalent limited shell.A local cache of faults and alarms may be made available to thislimited-privileges debug user. In other embodiments, full control may beavailable. For example, a full shell may be made available.

Functions Enabled

In some embodiments, one of more of the following functions may besupported: a command-line interface (CLI) via telnet or secure shell(SSH), a chroot jail, review of log files, archiving of log files,configuration of hardware installed at the wireless access station.

In some embodiments, static addressing may be used, including anarbitrary static subnet or link-local addressing. In other embodiments,a DHCP server may be provided for dynamic addressing.

In some embodiments, one or more of the following functions may also besupported: access to self-organizing network (SON) global positioningsystem (GPS) data, neighbor lists, information about neighbors,including signal strength and quality of neighbors, radio resourcemanagement (RRM) status, mesh status, bachkhaul status, backhaul signalstrength, including RSSI.

In some embodiments, a file transfer protocol, such asTFTP/FTP/SFTP/SCP, may be enabled. In some embodiments, IP addresses ofconfigurable hosts, addresses of core network nodes, or other addressesmay be configured. Installation of certificates may be enabled, in someembodiments. In some embodiments, resetting the wireless access stationto factory defaults may be enabled.

In some embodiments, a firmware or software upgrade may be enabled.

In some embodiments, the wireless configuration network may permitconfiguration via a web browser accessed from a node on the wirelessconfiguration network using a web server located at the wireless accessstation and executable programs running on the web server. Access may belimited only to nodes on the wireless configuration network, in someembodiments.

In some embodiments, the following functions may be enabled:meshAdvertisedRouteData; meshDynRouteData; meshInterfaceStats;meshNeighborData; meshNeighborStats; meshNodeStatus; monitorSysLog (alltext logged into wireless access station's log file after this API iscalled will be monitored); resetLogLevels (results in setting all loglevels to wireless access station's default logging level);resetMonitorSysLog (to stop monitoring syslog); rrmStatus; sonGpsData(providing one or more of a latitude, a longitude, an azimuth, and atrigger distance); sonLteCelllnfo (providing a physical cell ID (PCI),cellID, TxPower); sonLteCellNeighborList (with a list of neighbors and acount of neighbors, where the neighbors may include a wireless accessstationID, slotId, pci, cellId, tac, and also other parameters, such aseNBID, slotId, pci, cellId, tac); sysAlarms (with a list of alarms andincluding parameters such as a process, whether a task was restarted,severity, the task affected, whether an update failed, whether servicewas affected, whether connectivity was lost, or other status);sysConfigIni (providing a text file output of a system initializationfile); sysGpsData (providing one or more of a latitude, a longitude, anazimuth, and a trigger distance); sysInventory (including identificationdetails of one or more hardware parts located at the wireless accessstation, and potentially including part numbers, serial numbers,revision numbers, software numbers, descriptions, or other parameters);sysLog (providing text file output, which may default to returning thecontents of a file at /var/log/messages); sysLogFiles (describing thelog files on the system, including their length, filename, file path,applications logged, parameters retained in the log, log levels, defaultlog levels, and other parameters); sysLogLevelSet (to set the system loglevel); sysReboot (to reboot the wireless access station); sysStatus(including information about all configured IP hosts and whetherconnectivity to the cloud is available); sysTaskInfo (including processinformation about all tasks on the system, including all output commonlyprovided by a computer system for identifying a process, including portsand network resources used, and specifically including network processessuch as a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) manager, a DHCPclient, a SON manager, a SON client, and other network processes);sysVersion (providing text file output of system version);WiFiGetBhRssi; WiFiGetBhStats; or other parameters.

In some embodiments, a device UDID may be required to be located in anaccess control list on the wireless access station.

In some embodiments, an initial configuration wizard may be supported,either from a command line or from a graphical user interface, which maybe delivered through a web application and web browser.

In some embodiments, a protocol such as Javascript Object Notation(JSON) or another text-based or binary protocol may be used to sendarbitrary configuration blobs over the secure wireless connection tocause the wireless access station to be reconfigured.

In some embodiments, cloud control of the wireless configuration networkmay be provided, including cloud activation and deactivation of thenetwork using a command line interface at a cloud coordination server.

In some embodiments, a security key may be provided, such as a Wi-FiProtected Access Pre-Shared Key (PSK). The PSK may be updated from thecloud, in some embodiments.

To deactivate or disable the wireless configuration network: a) thecloud may send command to disable the feature to platform manager; b)the platform manager send SIGTERM/SIGKILL to daemon; c) the signalhandler for debugAP may be overwritten so that cleanup process can becomplete; d) the wireless configuration network may stop hostapd andremove the virtual interface; and e) the platform manager may startdebugssid feature.

To activate or enable the wireless configuration network from the cloud:a) the cloud may send command to enable or disable the feature toplatform manager; b) the platform manager send SIGTERM/SIGKILL todebugssid daemon; c) the signal handler for debugssid may be overwrittenso that cleanup process can be completed; d) the debugssid may stopwpa_supplicant, dhcp client and remove the virtual interface (ifcreated); and e) the platform manager may start debugAP feature.

In some embodiments, an out-of-band channel may be used, such as a shortmessage service (SMS) channel, to provide any security information to awireless client device.

A wireless access station could be functioning in either one of twopossible modes of operation: gateway mode and mesh mode. A gateway modehas access to an inter-connect network though which it establishesconnectivity to the cloud. The inter-connection could either be wired orwireless (e.g. LTE). In mesh mode, the wireless access station has nodirect connection to the core or infrastructure provider network. Itsonly means of connecting to the network is over mesh links.Establishment of the mesh network is covered in other applications, suchas U.S. application Ser. No. 14/146,857, hereby incorporated in itsentirety.

FIG. 1 depicts a deployment scenario for a wireless access station in anoperator network, in accordance with some embodiments. Base stations104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111 provide access to UEs 103, 107, 108, 112,113 to core network 102. Also shown is coordinating node 101, which maybe in communication with one or more base stations, and in someembodiments may act as a gateway to core network 102 (not shown). UEs103, 108 are Wi-Fi UEs and are using Wi-Fi access networks from basestations 104, 109. UEs 107, 112, 113 are LTE UEs and are using LTEaccess networks from base stations (i.e., eNodeBs) 110, 111, 106. Basestations 104 and 106 have backhaul connections to coordinating node 101and core network 102. These backhaul connections may be hard-wired, ordedicated wireless links, including LTE backhaul links, in someembodiments. All other base stations 105, 109, 110, 111 are connectedvia mesh backhaul, which may be Wi-Fi mesh backhaul, to either basestation 104, 106, or both (in the case of base station 105). Basestations 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111 are multi-RAT base stations andhave Wi-Fi capabilities. In some embodiments, the depicted network maybe a 3-radio setup using 3 channels, namely, either 1×LTE and 2×Wi-Fi,with one Wi-Fi channel for backhaul, or 2×LTE and 1×Wi-Fi, with one LTEchannel for backhaul.

In operation, nodes 104 and 106 may be in gateway mode and may beproviding mesh connectivity to core network 102 to base stations 105,109, 110, and 111. The nodes may be brought up in any particular order,and once one or more backhaul connections via nodes 104 and 106 arebrought up, the nodes are all able to reconfigure their meshconnectivity to connect to the gateway nodes and connect to core network102. Configuration may be performed by preconfiguration of each node, orby causing each node to connect to coordinating node 101 and downloadconfiguration, or some combination of these, or another method, in someembodiments.

Each of the nodes has the capability to start a wireless configurationnetwork. When a node detects that it is in an anomalous configurationstate, it may activate the wireless configuration network, in someembodiments. Alternately, the wireless configuration network may bebrought up at startup for each node, in some embodiments. The wirelessconfiguration network can be configured with a limited range, since onlya technician or other authorized user nearby the node is intended toconnect to it. In some embodiments, UEs 103, 108, 107, 112 may be unableto connect with a node's wireless configuration network without being ona UE/MAC address/IMSI whitelist.

FIG. 2 depicts a process tree for a wireless access station in anoperator network, in accordance with some embodiments. At node startupon a wireless access station, process Platform Manager 201 is activated,which in turn activates other processes that provide necessary functionson each node. In some embodiments, platform manager 201 first startsdebug access point process 202, which then asynchronously launches ahost access point module 203. Debug access point process 202 may providegeneral debug access point configuration and process management,including exchange of configuration information and security informationwith a coordinating node or security server in the network, in someembodiments. Host access point module 203 may create an access point forproviding a wireless configuration network. In some embodiments, anotherstation mode module (not shown) may be used to scan for aspecially-identified access network in STA mode, as described elsewhereherein.

Platform manager 201 then starts other node processes 204, here labeled“CWS-Application,” such as a mesh process, a wireless access process, oranother process. In some embodiments, DebugAP 202 and HostAP 203 areseparate processes from the processes that handle wireless access andbackhaul, and communicate via modification of configuration files and/orsystem interapplication communication methods. In isolating processes202 and 203 from application process 204, the debug access point is ableto persist even if a fault brings down application process 204.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a debug network in access point mode, inaccordance with some embodiments. At step 301, a wireless access stationmay initialize a configuration access point. The configuration accesspoint may be pre-configured using configuration files on local storage,in some embodiments. In some embodiments, when connectivity to aconfiguration server is available, these configuration files may beregularly updated from the configuration server according to a schedule.In the AP mode described with relation to FIG. 3, the wireless accessstation may broadcast a network, and may permit devices to connect toit. The SSID may be hidden, in some embodiments, or it may be public, insome embodiments. Authentication may be required, in many environmentsand embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the SSID is broadcast.

At step 302, a server daemon activates at intervals to generate keys.The keys are security keys for use in authenticating a technician'sdevice. The keys may be passwords, IKE keys, EAP keys, or any othersecurity information. The server daemon may be located at a server, suchas at a coordinating node, either in the core network, or on theInternet, or elsewhere. The server daemon may activate at a configurableinterval. The server daemon may generate or regenerate keys or othersecurity information at intervals and send the new keys to the wirelessaccess station, in order to make it more difficult for an attacker toaccess the configuration network.

At step 303, a handshaking step is used between the server and thewireless access station before transferring key information. If atechnician is making configuration changes to a system, the technicianmay be taking the wireless access station off the network. Accordingly,it is not helpful if the technician's wireless device has a security keythat is more recently generated than the security key on the wirelessaccess station. Therefore, the handshaking step allows the server tomaintain an accurate record of what security keys are on the wirelessaccess station, even in an environment where the wireless access stationmay lose connectivity to the core network. Once handshaking is complete,the security key has been transmitted to the wireless access station andstored in a local cache at the wireless access station.

At step 304, following handshaking, the server can then inform thetechnician's mobile device what security key to use. At step 304, thetechnician is able to take his mobile device to a location in closeproximity to the wireless access station, discover the configurationnetwork using the broadcast SSID (or connect to a predetermined privateSSID), and connect to the configuration network on the wireless accessstation using the security key.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a debug network in station mode, in accordancewith some embodiments. At step 401, the wireless access stationinitializes the access point using one or more configuration files.However, in the STA mode described here, no network is created. Instead,the access station is configured to search for a particular SSID. Insome embodiments the SSID can change over time, and may be determinedusing an internal algorithm, or via synchronization with a configurationserver.

At step 402, the wireless access station may periodically scan for theknown debug SSID. This may include scanning at a predetermined interval,a random interval, or based on the input of a radio scanner or sniffer.Since the wireless access station is scanning for the technician's debugSSID, instead of creating a security risk by exposing the existence andname of a debug network generated by the wireless access station, thewireless access station is able to make it more difficult for potentialattackers to discover and access the configuration network.

At step 403, when a technician comes to the site with a configuredmobile device, he or she activates the debug network. At step 404, thedebug network is detected and the wireless access station connects to itin wireless STA mode, e.g., the wireless access station connects to thetechnician's device as a client. In some embodiments, a dynamic hostconfiguration protocol (DHCP) server may be provided to assign an IPaddress, the DHCP server being located either at the wireless accessstation or at the technician's device. At step 405, the wireless accessstation may require additional credentials after connecting to the debugnetwork. In some embodiments, the additional credentials may be Wi-Fisecurity credentials. In some embodiments, the additional credentialsmay include application layer security information. For example, atechnician may still need to set up a virtual private network (VPN) orsecure shell (SSH) connection with the wireless access station toperform configuration tasks, even after the two devices are on the samenetwork.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a coordinating node, in accordance withsome embodiments. Coordinating node 500 includes processor 502 andmemory 504, which are configured to provide the functions describedherein. Also present are radio access network coordination/signaling(RAN Coordination and signaling) module 506, RAN proxying module 508,and routing virtualization module 510.

RAN coordination module 506 may include database 506 a, which may storeassociated debug access keys and security information for each RAN, asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, gateway 500 may coordinatemultiple RANs using coordination module 506. If multiple RANs arecoordinated, database 506 a may include information for debug networkson each of the multiple RANs.

In some embodiments, coordination server may also provide proxying,routing virtualization and RAN virtualization, via modules 510 and 508.In some embodiments, a downstream network interface 512 is provided forinterfacing with the RANs, which may be a radio interface (e.g., LTE),and an upstream network interface 514 is provided for interfacing withthe core network, which may be either a radio interface (e.g., LTE) or awired interface (e.g., Ethernet). Signaling storm reduction functionsmay be performed in module 506.

Coordinating node 500 includes local evolved packet core (EPC) module520, for authenticating users, storing and caching priority profileinformation, and performing other EPC-dependent functions when nobackhaul link is available. Local EPC 520 may include local HSS 522,local MME 524, local SGW 526, and local PGW 528, as well as othermodules. Local EPC 520 may incorporate these modules as softwaremodules, processes, or containers. Local EPC 520 may alternativelyincorporate these modules as a small number of monolithic softwareprocesses. Modules 506, 508, 510 and local EPC 520 may each run onprocessor 502 or on another processor, or may be located within anotherdevice.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an enhanced eNodeB, in accordance with someembodiments. Enhanced eNodeB 600 may include processor 602, processormemory 604 in communication with the processor, baseband processor 606,and baseband processor memory 608 in communication with the basebandprocessor. Enhanced eNodeB 600 may also include first radio transceiver610 and second radio transceiver 612, internal universal serial bus(USB) port 616, and subscriber information module card (SIM card) 618coupled to USB port 614. In some embodiments, the second radiotransceiver 612 itself may be coupled to USB port 616, andcommunications from the baseband processor may be passed through USBport 616.

Processor 602 and baseband processor 606 are in communication with oneanother. Processor 602 may perform routing functions, and may determineif/when a switch in network configuration is needed. Baseband processor606 may generate and receive radio signals for both radio transceivers610 and 612, based on instructions from processor 602. In someembodiments, processors 602 and 606 may be on the same physical logicboard. In other embodiments, they may be on separate logic boards.

The first radio transceiver 610 may be a radio transceiver capable ofproviding LTE eNodeB functionality, and may be capable of higher powerand multi-channel OFDMA. The second radio transceiver 612 may be a radiotransceiver capable of providing Wi-Fi capability, including 2.4 GHz, 5GHz, 802.11a/b/g/f/ac/ah or other Wi-Fi capabilities. Second radiotransceiver 612 may be used for mesh network or backhaul purposes, insome embodiments, and may be configured to connect to other Wi-Fi accesspoints or mesh nodes. Both transceivers 610 and 612 are capable ofreceiving and transmitting on one or more bands. Transceiver 610 may becoupled to processor 602 via a Peripheral Component Interconnect-Express(PCI-E) bus, and/or via a daughtercard. Additional transceivers may bepart of eNodeB 600, including transceivers for providing LTE UEfunctionality, with attached SIM card or software SIM card (not shown).

Debug network module 630 may also be included, providing functionalityas described above with respect to starting a debug network, connectingto a debug network, monitoring a debug network, scanning for a debugnetwork, or performing other functions as described hereinabove. Debugnetwork module 630 may connect to first radio transceiver 610 to use thesame Wi-Fi antenna and signal chain to either access a network in STAmode or broadcast access to a network in AP mode.

Wired backhaul or wireless backhaul may be used. Wired backhaul may bean Ethernet-based backhaul (including Gigabit Ethernet), or afiber-optic backhaul connection, or a cable-based backhaul connection,in some embodiments. Additionally, wireless backhaul may be provided inaddition to wireless transceivers 610 and 612, which may be Wi-Fi502.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ah, Bluetooth, ZigBee, microwave (includingline-of-sight microwave), or another wireless backhaul connection. Anyof the wired and wireless connections may be used for either access orbackhaul, according to identified network conditions and needs, and maybe under the control of processor 602 for reconfiguration.

Other elements and/or modules may also be included, such as a homeeNodeB, a local gateway (LGW), or another module. Additional radioamplifiers, radio transceivers and/or wired network connections may alsobe included.

Processor 602 may identify the appropriate network configuration, andmay perform routing of packets from one network interface to anotheraccordingly. Processor 602 may use memory 604, in particular to store arouting table to be used for routing packets. Baseband processor 606 mayperform operations to generate the radio frequency signals fortransmission or retransmission by both transceivers 610 and 612.Baseband processor 606 may also perform operations to decode signalsreceived by transceivers 610 and 612. Baseband processor 606 may usememory 608 to perform these tasks.

In some embodiments, the radio transceivers described herein may be basestations compatible with a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio transmissionprotocol or air interface. The LTE-compatible base stations may beeNodeBs. In addition to supporting the LTE protocol, the base stationsmay also support other air interfaces, such as UMTS/HSPA, CDMA/CDMA2000,GSM/EDGE, GPRS, EVDO, other 3G/2G, legacy TDD, or other air interfacesused for mobile telephony. In some embodiments, the base stationsdescribed herein may support Wi-Fi air interfaces, which may include oneor more of IEEE 502.11a/b/g/n/ac. In some embodiments, the base stationsdescribed herein may support IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), to LTE transmissionsin unlicensed frequency bands (e.g., LTE-U, Licensed Access or LA-LTE),to LTE transmissions using dynamic spectrum access (DSA), to radiotransceivers for ZigBee, Bluetooth, or other radio frequency protocols,or other air interfaces. In some embodiments, the base stationsdescribed herein may use programmable frequency filters. In someembodiments, the base stations described herein may provide access toland mobile radio (LMR)-associated radio frequency bands. In someembodiments, the base stations described herein may also support morethan one of the above radio frequency protocols, and may also supporttransmit power adjustments for some or all of the radio frequencyprotocols supported. The embodiments disclosed herein can be used with avariety of protocols so long as there are contiguous frequencybands/channels. Although the method described assumes a single-in,single-output (SISO) system, the techniques described can also beextended to multiple-in, multiple-out (MIMO) systems. Wherever IMSI orIMEI are mentioned, other hardware, software, user or group identifiers,can be used in conjunction with the techniques described herein.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that multiple hardware andsoftware configurations could be used depending upon the accessprotocol, backhaul protocol, duplexing scheme, or operating frequencyband by adding or replacing daughtercards to the dynamic multi-RAT node.Presently, there are radio cards that can be used for the varying radioparameters. Different securithe multi-RAT nodes of the present inventioncould be designed to contain as many radio cards as desired given theradio parameters of heterogeneous mesh networks within which themulti-RAT node is likely to operate. Those of skill in the art willrecognize that, to the extent an off-the shelf radio card is notavailable to accomplish transmission/reception in a particular radioparameter, a radio card capable of performing, e.g., in white spacefrequencies, would not be difficult to design.

Those of skill in the art will also recognize that hardware may embodysoftware, software may be stored in hardware as firmware, and variousmodules and/or functions may be performed or provided either as hardwareor software depending on the specific needs of a particular embodiment.

In the present disclosure, the words location and position may be usedin various instances to have the same meaning, as is common in therelevant art.

Although the methods above are described as separate embodiments, one ofskill in the art would understand that it would be possible anddesirable to combine several of the above methods into a singleembodiment, or to combine disparate methods into a single embodiment.For example, all of the above methods could be combined. In thescenarios where multiple embodiments are described, the methods could becombined in sequential order, in various orders as necessary.

Although the above systems and methods for providing interferencemitigation are described in reference to the Long Term Evolution (LTE)standard, one of skill in the art would understand that these systemsand methods could be adapted for use with other wireless standards orversions thereof. For example, certain methods involving the use of avirtual cell ID are understood to require UEs supporting 3GPP Release11, whereas other methods and aspects do not require 3GPP Release 11.

In some embodiments, the software needed for implementing the methodsand procedures described herein may be implemented in a high levelprocedural or an object-oriented language such as C, C++, C #, Python,Java, or Perl. The software may also be implemented in assembly languageif desired. Packet processing implemented in a network device caninclude any processing determined by the context. For example, packetprocessing may involve high-level data link control (HDLC) framing,header compression, and/or encryption. In some embodiments, softwarethat, when executed, causes a device to perform the methods describedherein may be stored on a computer-readable medium such as read-onlymemory (ROM), programmable-read-only memory (PROM), electricallyerasable programmable-read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or amagnetic disk that is readable by a general or specialpurpose-processing unit to perform the processes described in thisdocument. The processors can include any microprocessor (single ormultiple core), system on chip (SoC), microcontroller, digital signalprocessor (DSP), graphics processing unit (GPU), or any other integratedcircuit capable of processing instructions such as an x86microprocessor.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated inthe foregoing example embodiments, it is understood that the presentdisclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerouschanges in the details of implementation of the disclosure may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, which islimited only by the claims which follow. Various components in thedevices described herein may be added, removed, or substituted withthose having the same or similar functionality. Various steps asdescribed in the figures and specification may be added or removed fromthe processes described herein, and the steps described may be performedin an alternative order, consistent with the spirit of the invention.Features of one embodiment may be used in another embodiment. Otherembodiments are within the following claims. For example, anotherversion of the 802.11 Wi-Fi specification may be used, or featureslisted above with reference to the access point mode may also be usedwith the station mode, and vice versa.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wireless access station, comprising: aconfiguration module for configuring the wireless access station; aconfiguration wireless access network module for providing wirelessaccess to the configuration module; and a configuration wireless accesssecurity module for providing security information to the configurationwireless access network module,-wherein the configuration wirelessaccess security module is configured to provide access to a mobiledevice with a current version of the security information when thewireless access station does not have a backhaul connection to a corenetwork; wherein configuration information for a configuration wirelessnetwork at a base station is read, the configuration informationincluding a known Wi-Fi service set identifier (SSID), the configurationinformation is synchronized with a server; wherein scanning for theknown Wi-Fi SSID is performed periodically in station mode; and whereina mobile device is enabled to connect to the configuration wirelessnetwork, the mobile device using the configuration information receivedfrom the server and provides access to a mobile device with a currentversion of the configuration information when the base station does nothave a backhaul connection to a core network; and wherein additionalsecurity credentials are required after the mobile device connects tothe configuration wireless network.
 2. The wireless access station ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless access station is a multi-radio accesstechnology (multi-RAT) wireless access station supporting Long TermEvolution (LTE) and Wi-Fi wireless access technologies.
 3. The wirelessaccess station of claim 1, further comprising a mesh network module forproviding mesh backhaul to the wireless access station.
 4. The wirelessaccess station of claim 1, wherein the configuration module isconfigured to provide health monitoring, connectivity checking, hardwarestatus monitoring, network status monitoring, load monitoring, or otherstatus monitoring at the wireless access station.
 5. The wireless accessstation of claim 1, wherein the security information is a Wi-Fipre-shared key (PSK).
 6. A method for providing configuration access toa base station, comprising: reading configuration information for aconfiguration wireless network at a base station, the configurationinformation including a known Wi-Fi service set identifier (SSID);synchronizing the configuration information with a server; enabling amobile device to connect to the configuration wireless network, themobile device using the configuration information received from theserver; providing access to a mobile device with a current version ofthe configuration information when the base station does not have abackhaul connection to a core network, reading configuration informationfor a configuration wireless network at a base station, theconfiguration information including a known Wi-Fi service set identifier(SSID); synchronizing the configuration information with a server;periodically scanning for the known Wi-Fi SSID in station mode; enablinga mobile device to connect to the configuration wireless network, themobile device using the configuration information received from theserver; providing access to a mobile device with a current version ofthe configuration information when the base station does not have abackhaul connection to a core network; and requiring additional securitycredentials after the mobile device connects to the configurationwireless network.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising requiringadditional security credentials after the mobile device connects to theconfiguration wireless network.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein theconfiguration information includes a Wi-Fi pre-shared key (PSK).
 9. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising providing health monitoring,connectivity checking, hardware status monitoring, network statusmonitoring, load monitoring, or other status monitoring at the basestation.
 10. A method for providing configuration access to a basestation, comprising: reading configuration information for aconfiguration wireless network at a base station, the configurationinformation including a known Wi-Fi service set identifier (SSID);synchronizing the configuration information with a server; periodicallyscanning for the known Wi-Fi SSID in station mode; enabling a mobiledevice to connect to the configuration wireless network, the mobiledevice using the configuration information received from the server;providing access to a mobile device with a current version of theconfiguration information when the base station does not have a backhaulconnection to a core network, requiring additional security credentialsafter the mobile device connects to the configuration wireless network;and whitelisting certain devices for enabling the mobile device toconnect to the configuration wireless network, the whitelisting using anidentifier from the mobile device, the identifier being at least one ofinternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), international mobileequipment identity (IMEI), medium access control (MAC) address, mobilesubscription identification number (MSIN), globally unique temporaryuser equipment identity (GUTI), device serial number, and deviceconfiguration number.